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"That's just how popular it is."
Inside the restaurant, all the dishes had been served.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at the trending topics and realized that her graduation ceremony video had been unearthed by netizens.
She watched the video carefully, but still didn't remember much about the person, only that he was a classmate from the same department.
But there were over a hundred people in the department, and she only interacted more with female classmates. She wasn't interested in male classmates, and after all these years, she had no recollection of them at all.
On the contrary, Ning Shiyue remembered it more clearly than she did.
When Shen Chipeng was mentioned, Ning Shiyue's tone was disdainful: "That guy is on your college's basketball team, but his basketball skills are just so-so."
His physical attributes are decent, but his basketball IQ is very poor.
Ning Yuxuan bit her chopsticks: "I think I remember now."
Ning Shiyue stared at her: "What did you remember?"
"It was this heavy thing," Ning Yuxuan recalled. "It seems like during the College Cup finals, I was knocked down by a player from the opposing School of Electronic Engineering."
At that time, Ning Yuxuan had a roommate whose boyfriend was on the basketball team, and he dragged her to watch the final of the school basketball tournament.
They lost that game, and Shen Chipeng from the School of Management performed the worst. Her roommate nagged her about it for a month, saying that her boyfriend was dragged down by her.
Ning Fei also remembered: "Isn't he the boy who came to our house for dinner once during Xuanxuan's first year of college winter break? He's quite tall and strong, and he's also very sweet-talking."
Ning Shiyue scoffed lightly: "Yes, they complimented your youth at least five times during the meal, and even said you look like a movie star."
Ning Fei smiled and nodded: "Yes, yes."
The child didn't recognize her as an actress; he thought she just looked like a character from a movie.
Ning Yuxuan took a sip of barley tea: "How come I feel like the two of you remember this person even more clearly than I do?"
Ning Shiyue glanced at Ning Yuxuan: "Do you think everyone is as heartless as you?"
Ning Fei smiled but remained silent.
She always remembers things more vividly about her daughter.
When the conversation turned to the men who had pursued Ning Yuxuan during her university years, Ning Shiyue became much more talkative.
"And what about that senior of yours surnamed Li? Do you remember him?" Ning Shiyue pouted. "He sent a bunch of chocolates home for Valentine's Day. Mom doesn't eat sweets, and you don't like hazelnut flavor, so he ended up giving them all to me."
Ning Yuxuan blinked as she munched on a potato: "Is that so?"
Ning Shiyue: "Yeah, it took me two months to finish that pile of chocolates. You don't remember at all, do you?"
Ning Yuxuan pretended to think: "I seem to have a little bit of an impression... but there are too many boys who have given me gifts since I was a child, how can I remember them all?"
Ning Shiyue laughed angrily: "You're getting smug?"
“I didn’t say anything,” Ning Yuxuan said with a smile. “I was just stating the facts.”
Ning Fei joined the conversation with a smile: "When you two were in middle school, you had a competition to see who received more love letters in a semester, do you remember?"
She has always been very open-minded in this regard, so neither of her children hides these things from her.
Ning Shiyue frowned: "I've done something so childish?"
Ning Yuxuan also spoke up at the same time: "So who won in the end?"
Ning Shiyue: "..."
Ning Fei smiled and said, "Xuanxuan won by a narrow margin, with more letters than Xiaoyu."
Ning Yuxuan's eyes curved into crescent moons: "I knew it was me."
Ning Shiyue looked at her speechlessly: "What's there to be proud of!"
Ning Yuxuan remained unmoved: "Anyway, I won, and if we're comparing the gifts I received, I definitely have more than you."
Ning Shiyue snorted: "What's there to compare? Those guys who like you only know how to send you snacks and flowers, they don't put in any effort at all."
As they were talking, Ning Yuxuan's phone beeped.
It was a message from Xie Zhiyan: "The things you asked me to buy have arrived."
Ning Yuxuan took a second to react and remembered that when she went to the supermarket last time, she asked Xie Zhiyan to buy dried tofu from Xingcheng for her.
She said it casually at the time, not expecting that Xie Zhiyan, such a busy man, would actually remember to buy it for her.
However, that brand of dried tofu tastes really good, but unfortunately it's only sold locally in Changsha, and the shelf life is short, so you can't stock up on a whole box at once.
Ning Yuxuan replied to him: 【Then you'll send it to my home? Do you need me to give you your address?】
Xie Zhiyan: [I was in such a rush the last two times I met Aunt Ning that I didn't have time to bring a gift. I'll have some free time in a couple of days, so I'll bring it over then.]
This means that I will deliver it in person.
Ning Yuxuan thought for a moment and replied: 【Okay, then send me a message before you come.】
When Xie Zhiyan arrives, she can then ask him to be her hotel consultant.
After Ning Yuxuan replied to the message, she found Ning Shiyue looking at her from the other side.
She raised an eyebrow: "What are you trying to say?"
Ning Shiyue looked away: "...It's nothing."
When Ning Yuxuan replied to the message, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. It was unclear whose message had made her so happy.
Ning Shiyue wanted to ask, but felt that he was being too concerned about her private life.
Ning Yuxuan didn't try to hide anything: "Information about Xie Zhiyan."
Ning Shiyue immediately asked, "What's wrong, Brother Zhiyan?"
Ning Yuxuan told the truth: "He said he didn't bring a gift for his mother last time, so he'll bring it over in a couple of days and also bring me a few packs of dried bean curd."
Ning Shiyue said "Oh".
Ning Fei took a sip of tea: "Zhiyan is so thoughtful. He brings me gifts every year, and he has been doing so for years."
Ning Yuxuan was somewhat surprised: "Every year? How come I didn't know?"
Ning Fei smiled and said, "They used to be delivered directly to my home. I'm the one who unpacks the packages at home, so of course you don't remember."
Ning Yuxuan pondered, "Should I also prepare some gifts for Aunt Zheng...?"
Over the years, she has focused all her energy on Gu Yunhao, and has even lost contact with her best friend. Naturally, she has no intention of preparing gifts for her elders.
Ning Fei said gently, "Xinmei lacks nothing and doesn't care about these things. But it would be nice if you were thoughtful; Xinmei would definitely be very happy to receive a gift."
Ning Yuxuan blinked: "Then I'll go pick some out when I have time, and Mom, you can help me with your suggestions."
Ning Fei's brow twitched slightly: "Isn't Zhiyan coming to our house in a couple of days? Why don't you let him help you choose?"
Ning Yuxuan blinked her eyelashes: "His taste isn't as good as yours, Mom."
Ning Fei smiled and shook her head: "I heard that Zhi Yan helped with all the gifts Xin Mei gave you over the years. Wasn't that book this year something Zhi Yan brought back from England?"
The two ate and chatted, but Ning Shiyue remained silent for a long time.
Ning Shiyue frowned slightly, sensing that something was amiss.
The guys who used to pursue Ning Yuxuan always liked to send her things home, like a bunch of snacks and trinkets.
Why is Brother Zhiyan sending snacks now?
No, impossible, Ning Shiyue told himself.
Xie Zhiyan was completely different from those men; they were not the same kind of people at all.
Moreover, Xie Zhiyan could never possibly have feelings for his sister, otherwise how could he have kept it from him?
Yes, that's impossible!
Ning Yuxuan's phone was unusually busy today. Not long after replying to Xie Zhiyan's message, two more people she hadn't contacted in a long time sent her messages.
One message came from the male classmate I just mentioned.
Shen Chipeng: [Haha, Yu Xuan, I didn't expect to be trending on Weibo with you. Do you still remember me? I really didn't expect that our video from so long ago would still be found by netizens. I was shocked when I saw it. Hahaha, I didn't expect that no netizens saw through it.]
Shen Chipeng: [I watched your show, and you're still as beautiful and adorable as ever! And I never knew your mother was a movie star. By the way, do you have some free time lately? What a rare coincidence! How about I treat you to a meal?]
Ning Yuxuan had forgotten when she added the other person as a friend, and their chat history was completely blank, probably because it wasn't transferred when she changed phones.
This person kept praising her beauty and asking her out to dinner; even if Ning Yuxuan was slow to notice, she could see through it.
Shen Chipeng has something on his mind.
Ning Yuxuan declined without hesitation: "Thank you, but I've been quite busy lately, so I won't bother with meals."
She refused decisively, but Shen Chipeng didn't give up and quickly replied: "It's okay, I understand. We're all adults, and I'm quite busy with work too. But it's such a coincidence, and we haven't seen each other in a long time. How about I go to your neighborhood and grab a bite?"
Ning Yuxuan frowned. She remembered that this classmate surnamed Chen had never been so persistent.
This person knows the home address; if he persists, it could really cause some trouble.
After thinking for two seconds, she replied: "I'm sorry, I recently got married, and my husband is very strict; he doesn't allow me to eat alone with men."
Shen Chipeng was probably genuinely shocked this time, as it took him several minutes to reply.
Shen Chipeng: [Wow, that was so sudden! Congratulations! Happy wedding! Haha!]
He then sent an emoji, presumably wanting to end the conversation.
This suited Ning Yuxuan perfectly.
Besides Shen Chipeng, Ning Yuxuan's college roommate Tao You also sent a message.
Tao You was her boyfriend's roommate on the basketball team. She had a good relationship with Ning Yuxuan in college and helped Ning Yuxuan avoid a lot of unwanted suitors.
After graduation, Tao You stayed in Beicheng to work, and their friendship continued for some time.
It wasn't until Ning Yuxuan stood Tao You up several times for Gu Yunhao that Tao You, though she didn't say anything, gradually lost touch with her.
Looking at the chat history, the last time the two contacted each other was half a year ago.
That day, Tao You asked her to go shopping, but Ning Yuxuan replied that she was going on a date with Gu Yunhao, and the two never spoke again after that.
Tao You: [Why did Shen Chipeng suddenly reappear? He's like a persistent ghost.]
Six months later, Tao You's words and tone were still as familiar as before, as if the two had just chatted last night.
Ning Yuxuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She replied: "Yes, he just asked me out to dinner, but I declined."
Tao You sent a single "Ah," followed by a string of question marks and exclamation marks.
After a few seconds, she asked again: "So you didn't say yes, right?"
Ning Yuxuan: [No.]
Tao You: [That's good! He's really shameless. After failing to win you over back then, he went on to have three or four girlfriends, and now he's actually coming back to you? Is he going to create this devoted lover persona for himself, saying he's never forgotten you all these years?]
Ning Yuxuan: [No, maybe I rejected him quickly enough before he could. Speaking of which, do you still dislike him that much? Because of that basketball game?]
Tao You: [How could it be because of that! It's because of his bad character. Don't you remember how he hired people to slander you back then?]
When the past was brought up, Tao You seemed even more indignant than Ning Yuxuan herself.
Tao You: [Besides, I don't think he's that good-looking. His physique is okay, though. How come so many people on the trending topics are praising him as handsome? What kind of taste does that have!]
After chatting for a few minutes, Tao You asked, "We haven't had a proper meal together in ages. Have you been especially busy lately? Is it still possible for me to ask you out?"
Ning Yuxuan typed with a smile: "I am a bit busy, but it depends on who invites me. If it's you, I'll be free."
Tao You: [Okay! It's a deal then, let's go out for a big meal together next week!]
After replying to Tao You's message, Ning Yuxuan looked up and explained to the person next to her, "It's Tao You. She asked me to have dinner with her next week, and I agreed."
Ning Fei nodded: "Youyou, it's good. It's been a long time since you two have seen each other."
She knew that Tao You was her daughter's best friend in college and that she liked the straightforward girl very much.
Ning Fei is very pleased to see that her daughter has reconnected with her old friends.
She was relieved when her daughter stopped being a loner and started to re-establish her social circle.
After dinner, the family chatted and laughed as they drove home.
On the other hand, some people had an extremely difficult afternoon and evening.
After being evicted from her house in Jinshui Bay, Cen Meng immediately called Gu Yunhao.
But for some reason, the line was always busy, and I couldn't get through no matter what I did.
Before Cen Meng could contact Gu Yunhao, more bad news came one after another.
There was a big-budget S-level TV series that had already cast her as the female lead, and all that was left was to sign the contract.
However, shortly after the news of her being evicted from the house went viral, the crew called to tell her that they had to regretfully cancel the collaboration because they had found a more suitable actress.
Cen Meng could easily tell that this was an excuse; the production team was already replacing her right after her scandal broke.
But there was nothing she could do.
She couldn't afford to offend either the director or the investors on the production team. Given her status, she only got the role because Gu Yunhao had helped her.
Last time, she made headlines because of her affair with another woman, which caused some dissatisfaction within the production team. Fortunately, Gu Yunhao protected her and prevented her from being replaced.
Cen Meng could only grit her teeth and politely tell the other party that they would cooperate again next time if there was an opportunity.
Not long after, her agent called again, saying that the jewelry endorsement she had previously agreed to had also been terminated.
That was the luxury brand endorsement she had been looking forward to for a long time, and it was supposed to be officially announced in a couple of days.
According to the contract, since Cen Meng's scandal led to the termination of the contract, she also has to pay a penalty for breach of contract.
An hour later, the director of the "Dear Mom" program contacted Cen Meng, saying that she should not participate in tomorrow's program for the time being.
One piece of bad news after another gradually broke Cen Meng down.
She worked so hard in the entertainment industry for so long, and even tried her best to please and rely on Gu Yunhao, before she finally got these roles and endorsements.
Are they all going to vanish overnight?
Having exhausted all other options, Cen Meng could only call Gu Yunhao again.
It was a busy signal again, and this time Cen Meng finally realized a possibility—
Did Gu Yunhao block her?
Cen Meng couldn't believe it.
For the past year, Gu Yunhao had always been very accommodating to her.
Whether she wanted money, gifts, or resources within the industry, Gu Yunhao would almost always grant her her wishes as long as she acted coquettishly towards him a few times.
The only thing that Cen Meng was not entirely satisfied with was that Gu Yunhao had not broken up with Ning Yuxuan due to pressure from his elders.
But thanks to her persistent efforts, even this problem was solved not long ago.
All she needs to do is give it her all on the variety show to completely ruin Ning Yuxuan's reputation, so that she can be with Gu Yunhao legitimately and gain the Gu family's approval.
Everything was just one step away, so how did everything suddenly turn out like this?
Even the man who has always loved her deeply, is he going to change his mind?
Cen Meng took a deep breath, switched to her secondary number, and dialed Gu Yunhao's number again.
The moment the call connected, Cen Meng didn't know how to describe her feelings.
She should be happy that she finally got through to Gu Yunhao, but this also means that Gu Yunhao really did block her original number.
The phone rang for half a minute before it was finally answered: "Hello?"
In an instant, tears welled up in Cen Meng's eyes: "Yun Hao!"
There was a long silence on the other end.
Gu Yunhao's voice sounded extremely suppressed: "Why did you call?"
Cen Meng cried uncontrollably, "Yun Hao, please, you're all I have left! Don't hang up on me, don't leave me, okay!"
The woman's voice sounded incredibly pitiful, but the man's only response was silence.
Cen Meng's heart grew colder and colder.
Blocking and remaining silent—what does this mean?
But her only hope now lies with Gu Yunhao. Without this man's love, she would truly have nothing left.
Cen Meng took a deep breath.
The fact that Gu Yunhao didn't hang up immediately showed that this man still had a sliver of compassion for him.
What hasn't she endured over the years?
She flattered her mother, pleased her stepfather, and was willing to share Gu Yunhao with Ning Yuxuan.
She was willing to sacrifice everything, including her dignity, as long as she could win Gu Yunhao back.
Cen Meng sobbed, "Yun Hao, I know I was wrong. It's all my fault for dragging you into this. But I really love you so much. I'd give up anything for you, even if you wanted to get back together with Ning Yuxuan, as long as you could still come see me occasionally!"
Upon hearing her say that, the man's tone on the phone finally changed slightly.
Gu Yunhao: "Cen Meng, you..."
For some reason, hearing the woman he once loved beg him so humbly, Gu Yunhao felt not heartache, but a strange feeling.
Cen Meng's words reminded Gu Yunhao of Ning Yuxuan.
If he were still with Ning Yuxuan, today's trending topics wouldn't be about his scandal with Cen Meng, and he wouldn't be labeled a scumbag and ridiculed by netizens and people in the wealthy circle.
If he hadn't broken up with Ning Yuxuan, he definitely wouldn't have been scolded so badly by his mother, and his grandfather might have treated him differently.
This wasn't the first time Gu Yunhao had thought about this. Whenever Cen Meng annoyed him, he would think of Ning Yuxuan.
But this time, the thought was stronger than ever before.
Although Ning Yuxuan is willful, she never goes against his wishes and always puts his interests first.
Although Cen Meng appears obedient on the surface, she constantly makes various demands on him to satisfy her, whether it's resources in the entertainment industry, money, or a luxury mansion.
In the past two weeks, Cen Meng has become increasingly displeasing to him.
He was soft-hearted and asked her to move out of Jinshui Bay later, but she caused such a big commotion and even implicated him.
If it were Ning Yuxuan, she would never have let him lose face like that.
Thinking of this, Gu Yunhao said coldly, "You don't need to say anything more. I really can't help you this time. And don't mention Ning Yuxuan anymore. You're no match for her."
"Yun Hao—"
The man had already hung up the phone.
Cen Meng slumped into the chair, tears streaming down her cheeks until they dried.
Gradually, the sadness and despair in Cen Meng's eyes turned into hatred.
Gu Yunhao's last words kept echoing in her ears—
"You can't compare to her."
Cen Meng clenched her fists tightly.
Why did Ning Yuxuan have to destroy everything just as her life was starting to look up?
Now even the man who once loved her the most says she can't compare to that woman!
With tears streaming down her face, Cen Meng took out her phone and typed a text message.
[Ning Yuxuan, you think you've won by making me unable to continue in the entertainment industry? You think you can win Gu Yunhao's heart by making him despise me? You're dreaming! Just wait, I'll make sure you're also disgraced in front of everyone, and that you can never marry into the Gu family again!]
...
After returning home, Ning Fei went to her bedroom to rest.
Ning Yuxuan took a relaxing hot bath and watched a show while wearing a face mask.
The TV was showing an urban fantasy drama starring Ning Shiyue. She had been watching Ning Shiyue's works in order these days, and now it was this one's turn.
Ning Shiyue said he didn't want her to watch it, but when he saw that she had projected the show onto the TV screen, he still sat down next to her.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at him.
Ning Shiyue said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm afraid you won't understand, so I can explain it to you."
Ning Yuxuan wanted to laugh, but was afraid the face mask would fall off, so she had to suppress her laughter and replied, "Thank you."
Five minutes later, Ning Yuxuan's phone rang.
Ning Shiyue glanced at the coffee table: "Why are you so busy today? People have been calling you all night."
Ning Yuxuan: "Your sister is just that popular, and you're only realizing it today?"
Ning Shiyue: "..."
Ning Yuxuan had a face mask on and was holding an orange, making it inconvenient for her to operate her phone.
She gestured towards Ning Shiyue with her lip: "Help me see who's looking for me. The password is my birthday."
Ning Shiyue took the phone as instructed.
The TV drama was at an exciting point, and Ning Yuxuan casually asked while watching the screen, "Who is it?"
The person next to him remained silent and did not answer.
Ning Yuxuan turned her head and gave Ning Shiyue a questioning look: "Hmm?"
Ning Shiyue lowered his head and moved his fingers a few times: "I'll delete the spam messages for you."
Ning Yuxuan turned her head back to watch TV: "Oh, okay, thanks."
Ning Shiyue looked at the oranges in Ning Yuxuan's hand: "What other fruit would you like to eat? Apples, kiwis, or peaches? I'll get them for you."
Ning Yuxuan was engrossed in the story and casually replied, "I'll have a little of everything."
Ning Shiyue stood up: "Okay, you wait."
Five minutes later, the TV series started playing mid-roll commercials.
Ning Yuxuan came to her senses and wanted to discuss the plot with Ning Shiyue, but found that he was already gone.
The noise from the kitchen reminded Ning Yuxuan that Ning Shiyue had just said he was going to cut fruit for her.
Ning Yuxuan blinked.
When did this guy become so considerate?
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